It is often difficult to judge what authority governs ones actions. In this case we have to wonder what authority allows or prevents, or advocates or discourages a greeting of Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy School vacation, and many others at this time of year. Happy Pagan Winter Celebration or Happy Wiccan Turn of the Year might be the best since it is now a well documented fact that many of the traditions we associate with Christmas were in place well before Christianity was created (greenery, gifts, and feasting for example). As is often the case, newer religions adopt traditions that were already in existence and then claim them as their own.
Further ambiguity results from a complete unknown: nobody knows at all, not even close, when Jesus was born but the winter solstice celebration must have been a convenient time to celebrate Jesus that probably got convoluted into some convenient assumption that was his birth date. Too bad they didn't have better instruments, because they missed by 4 days (solstice is on the 21nd, not the 25th). People back then were wise enough to know that around this time of year the days would start getting longer again, and that transition was something to celebrate. Unfortunately we don't even know when Christianity was formally created, but the most likely date is the Council of Nicea in AD 325. At least that is apparently when the Christian Bible was created.
Anyway, the authority governing these greetings might be family traditions, your parents, your community, your city, various churches, the federal government. In this case, in the US, we have a legal basis because Dec. 25th is defined as "Christmas" by the federal government. So it seem perfectly acceptable to wish everyone you see a "Merry Christmas".
But flash makes a good point: this season has gotten totally out of control. I blame capitalism, not any of the Christan churches. I guess we could also blame PC (Political Correctness) which is a horrible disease in this country and is certainly the obligation of all of us to combat. We always kept three sets of holiday greeting cards: one with a Christian theme, one with a Jewish theme, and one generic. Then we would discuss and properly select the correct one, all the time wondering "....are you sure they are not Jewish?" I am not sure that this kind of activity enhanced my holiday experience.
Other bad stuff:
- yes, like a dummy, I pretended to my kids that there is a Santa. I lied. Why? Tradition I suppose, the governing authorities were my parents and the retail industry. Mostly likely reason I was too lazy to think about it honestly and "just followed the crowd".
- most likely as a child his parents sat Flash on Santa's lap at the mall and he cried. Probably one of those life changing events where we didn't choose wisely and this generated conflict (ha-ha!). So lighten up on him please, he gets to choose his views and actions.
So have a Merry Christmas everyone --We will have about 14 family members over for dinner, kids coming home, everybody around the same dining room table, with more dishes that can fit on the table! I have no idea who is a believer or not, and couldn't care less. My wife will play piano, some will be Christian Christmas songs (because they are really nice) others will be generic. I'll replay Adam Sandler "Happy Hanukkah" over and over again because it is hilarious may be the best "holiday song". We are going to celebrate family, friends, and neighbors and be thankful for everything that is good.
But I will protest if you put a Manger with sheep and wise men on any government property (ha-ha, NOT!).
